Our team of five arrived in India at 2 a.m. on Friday morning (India time), where we were warmly greeted by our long-time friend and supervisor, Pastor Chinnaiah. Despite having traveled for nearly 36 hours, we still had a six-hour van ride ahead of us before we could finally get some real rest in Ongole.
Sunday morning, we were welcomed by 62 incredible women—a sight that filled our hearts with joy! Over the next three days, we conducted classes on health, mental health, and our newest topic: Pathfinders. Our hope is that these women will take the concept of Pathfinders back to their villages, offering children a place to learn about the benefits of health, temperance, and building a relationship with the one true God. Perhaps these children will be able to change the trajectory of their family’s future.
Our time in Ongole wasn't just about classes. On Monday afternoon, we took all our workers to the Bay of Bengal, where everyone was rejuvenated by the feel of sand between our toes, the water around our feet, and the gentle ocean breeze. We’ve learned that spending time with these women outside the classroom is invaluable. Creating these shared memories brings us closer together.
On Tuesday, after classes, we rushed off to our next destination, Ibrahimputnam, where we began training a new group of workers. At the end of our sessions, we gathered for a memorable Friday evening, worshiping together during vespers. Our volunteer, Mike Kelly, shared a heartfelt message on our value in Jesus.
On Sunday, we hit the road again, making our way to Hyderabad for our final round of training in East Central India. Afterward, we'll travel to Jaipur for one last training session with our Supervisors from North India and Nepal. With a week and a half of training left before heading home, we kindly ask for your continued prayers.
